Bengaluru went on a rampage after a derogatory social media post on Prophet Muhammad by the nephew of a Congress MLA triggered an uncanny situation in the capital city of Karnataka. At least three people died and several got injured in the police firing after mobs went on a frenzy attacking KG Halli and DJ Halli police stations on the night of 11th August, 2020, sharply reacting to the post. Demanding immediate action against Congress legislator Srinivas Murthy, who is said to be responsible for allegedly perpetrating the violence by his offensive on the Prophet, miscreants ran riots damaging and defacing whatever came their way.
The Congress legislator was not at home when the incident happened. Sharing his pain and agony on Twitter, he requested people to stay calm and peaceful as additional forces were deployed in the tension to bring back the situation to normal, even as the ruling BJP in Karnataka called the incident planned and systematic. Blaming the previous Congress government for perfecting the art of Muslim appeasement and stoking fears in their minds, many have called for the total prohibition of members of Social Democratic Party of India who are said to be the mastermind behind the clashes.
The Bengaluru Police detained SDPI’s leaders and investigation is under way to nab the culprits by looking for the possible reasons that led to the unleashing of anarchy and crisis in one of the finest and promising states of the country known for its innovations and investment in technology. Bengaluru Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai has instructed the police officers to attach and confiscate the properties responsible for running riots in the city as more than 110 people have been arrested so far in connection with this case. Congress Leader DK Shivkumar has blamed both the SDPI and BJP for conniving instability for the purpose and purchase of polarisation with an eye on the local body elections.
Leave aside politics for a while and, instead, focus on encouraging a free, fair and independent probe into this matter for locating the rightful reasons responsible for this act as simply a Facebook post is not enough for igniting, inciting and instigating such a situation and circumstance. How can somebody dare to game the safety and security setup of the cosmopolitan and cultural capital city of Karnataka, home to some of the finest IT hubs, industries and brands. In my view, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa should take a principled position and stand by calling for an independent probe into the matter by bringing the perpetrators to justice as safeguarding and securing the lives of the ordinary people is the foremost priority and duty of State.